Christmas Lesson: Winter’s Gift

WINTER’S GIFT

Written and Illustrated by Jane Monroe DonovanIt

Summary:
A lonely old man living on a small farm wants to forget Christmas, along with its painful memories of loved ones lost. But a snowstorm and a surprise visitor needing help bring an opportunity for that most elusive gift of all–hope.

LESSON:
What are some of the gifts in your life?
What do love about Christmas?
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
What tradition did the old man have with his wife?
What is hope? Why is important to have hope especially at Christmas time?
What happens when the baby foal is born?
Why is this special to the man?

CRAFTS:
Draw your own star of hope. The book says that hope is the most important part of Christmas. Decorate it.

Use the coloring of the horse to make your own picture of the foal in the Winter’s Gift.

SNACK:
Star Sugar Cookies
Pillsbury

Ingredients
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
1/4
to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Ready-to-spread frosting (any white variety)
Coarse white sparkling sugar, if desired

Steps
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in 1/4 cup of the flour until well blended. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon flour onto work surface; coat all sides of dough with flour. With rolling pin, roll out dough 1/4 inch thick, adding additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.
2. With floured 2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out stars. Gently brush excess flour from stars; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Frost cookies with frosting. Sprinkle with sugar.

Any decorator sprinkles or colored sugars may be used instead of the coarse white sparkling sugar. Frosting may be tinted in any color using food coloring.